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We stayed for 4 nights at centara. The experience was amazing. I have never been on such a relaxing enjoyable holiday. It was 5 days of early rising, full breakfast lunch and dinner, mornings spent on the beach, snorkelling, using the pedalos and canoes to circle the island. A truly amazing experience. We stayed in a beach bungalow. Waking up first thing in the morning to sit on the beach for the sunrise. Watching all the staff start their morning with a clean up of the beach. The staff are friendly, attentive and really make you feel individually special. We were greeted by name every day when we went to the restaurant. We will definately want to go back :)

Stayed February 2012

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1Thank Natbutler5

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Ask Natbutler5 about Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

We just returned from a 6 nights stay at Centara Grand, and we think all aspects exceed expectation.

Food selection - wide range of food and drinks on the all inclusive package, which really helps manage cost. We did not opt for the "Island Club" upgrade and we don't think it's necessary. Drinks-wise, there's juices, soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails and mocktails. Food-wise, there are 3 restaurants: the reef restaurant which serves buffet, there's lots of variety in breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a different theme each evening. There's also a Thai restaurant where you can pick from set menus if you prefer being served than going to a buffet. There's also a seafood restaurant but based on reviews we read here we decided to give it a miss.

Snorkelling - it's our first time snorkelling, and I'm in love with the fishies! There are plenty of them, especially in the area between the dive centre and the water villas. Bring your own gear though, we bought our Cressi set for GBP 40 each, while the shop in the resort is selling a set for USD 125!!! I think you can hire too, no idea how much it'd cost, but if you intend to snorkel everyday like we did it's probably better value to bring your own set. There's also a dive centre that offers diving courses but we didn't try out because of I'm pregnant.

Room - the beach suite (42) we stayed in was very spacious - there's a living area and a sleeping area upstairs. There's also an outdoor bath tub. The room is air-conditioned (please remember to turn it off when you're not in the room though!) Our beach suite faces a nice stretch of sandy beach, we have our own hammock and sun lounges - great for relaxing! Our room is tidied twice a day - once in the morning and once while we're having dinner. There's always fresh towels and clean floors.

Service - all staff are very helpful and friendly, and they work very hard to keep the resort clean and tidy. (One morning we were up early and we saw them sweeping the beach to keep it nice and pretty)

Spa - we tried the facial treatment and massage treatment at the spa. It's a very relaxing environment, and the staffs are very professional.

Watersport - there's complimentary use of non-motorized watersport eg canoes, pedal boats. All is good fun!

Excursion - we did not go on any as there is enough to do in the island (and I get sea sick quite easily) but I can see that they are very popular.

Sand barriers - having read reviews here before our trip I noticed sand barriers are being mentioned quite frequently, but having been there ourselves, we honestly don't think there's any issue with them. They are measures to preserve the beach, and they did not spoil our holiday. You can probably spot some fishes if you snorkel around them!

All in all, a very happy and relaxing vacation. The all inclusive deal makes cost management much easier. (Imagine having to pay for each drink separately at inflated price otherwise!) We intend to return in the future!

Room Tip: We stayed in beach suite 42 which faces the sunset and have direct access to a nice stretch of beach...

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Stayed February 2012, travelled as a couple

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4Thank travelhooolic

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Ask travelhooolic about Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

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We have just returned from a 10 night stay at the Centara Grand. We stayed in a beach suite - number 44 - which is near the water sports centre and has direct access to the beach and we felt was a great location. We enquired about the Island Club upgrade but at $100 pp per day and having looked at the benefits, we decided that this was not for us. We enjoyed the Reef restaurant and found a great variety of food there, all buffet style and themed on most nights i.e. Indian/Chinese/Creole/Mediterranean and there was always plenty of choice and variety. The Lotus Thai is excellent and we dined there on about 4 occasions - all included in the AI package and a really substantial meal with plenty of variety, be warned, you actually get all of the food on the AI menu, so really quite filling and beautifully prepared. The staff at the resort were excellent and nothing was too much trouble for any of them. The Beach suite which we stayed in was lovely, particularly the outside shower area. We had looked at the \sunset water villas and whilst the advantage would be the access to snorkelling from the steps behind each villa, we did not feel that we missed out as there is great snorkelling all around the Island. The pedalos and canoes are included in the AI package for the first hour, but we did have to pay for snorkelling equipment, which we hired for three days. There is WIFI access in room, but again this is charged. There is also internet access in the Coral Bar which is charged at $2 per hour and we used the computer there to check in online for flights home. We are glad that we did this as flying with Emirates, we were able to access the check in online queue at the airport which was much quicker. I used the Spa for a treatment whilst at the resort, which was lovely and like an oasis of calm, the price of the treatment which i had reduced between me booking and having the treatment which maybe a sign that the spa was not being overly used? They could benefit from doing some shorter treatments i.e. mini facials, pedicure etcOverall, a great time at the Centara Grand and to be recommendedOverall, we would recommend the Centara Grand

Room Tip: Rooms 40 - 45 by the water sports, close to the amenities and direct access to lovely sandy beach

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Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple

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5Thank yim22

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Ask yim22 about Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

This is the first time we have ever posted a review on Trip Advisor, naughty when you consider how extensively we use it – will try harder in future!

My partner and I visited Centara twice in the last year, the first time we have EVER returned to the same resort – yes we enjoyed it that much!

We initially visited for 14 nights in March 2011 for 14 nights and stayed in a Sunset Water Villa Island Club. For us the room was ideal, and we spent many happy hours feeding the fish in the reef, snorkelling (which is fantastic) and relaxing.

All the restaurants were fantastic and the buffet (as other reviewers have said) first class, Executive Head Chef Tim works hard to meet the guests and solicit feedback for improvements. Fortunately for us we are big Thai fans and loved the Thai restaurant.

Turning, for a moment, to some of the negatives that you regularly see in the reviews of Centara; the sea defences, yes they are ugly, but they serve a purpose and it is only when the tide is low that they present themselves, fantastic snorkelling around them and you soon learn to ignore them. I am sure the team at Centara will make improvements over time. These are not a reason not to go!

Island Club, is it worth it? For us yes, we enjoyed the superb service of the team headed by the ever excellent Shelly, the pool was used from time to time and the canapés at sunset, along with the Kir Royale’s worked for us. Is it for everyone, no, it depends on what you want from your holiday – for us it was perfect and worth the money.

I would have to agree that some of the charges such as the in-room mini bar and Wifi should be revisited, for me I would like all inclusive to be all inclusive.

Whoever experienced alleged poor service at Centara needs to look at themselves rather than the staff, everyone worked really hard to ensure that we had a great time, and if you engage with the staff they engage with you and always work hard to deliver excellence.

Bugs - you are in the tropics course there are bugs, but they fog every day and you can spray your rooom!

We returned to Centara again just after Christmas and stayed for 9 nights over the New Year. We had not made our return known and on the first day we were “spotted” - the way in which we were treated was absolutely superb, in fact faultless. We have to give special thanks to Ranil, Hamish, John, Doi and Tim for their hospitality and friendship on our return. Every member of staff (particularly the house band – who are excellent) were pleased to see us and genuinely made an effort to thank us for returning. While talking about staff, we should make special mention of King in the buffet who was ever present and provided superb service every day.

We noted a number of changes and improvements on return, with a continuous programme of improvement to upgrade the decking and walkway (better wood was needed and is being fitted), improvements to the beach defences, etc. Centara can only get better!

We had a fantastic evening at New Year, the details of which can be summarised by the quality of the hangover the next day, having got to bed early at around 4am.

Our recommendation would be go and enjoy – if something is not quite right for you, then talk to the team, Hamish and Ranil will always sort something for you - just ask, don’t do nothing and then write a poor review afterwards – the guys are there to make your holiday the best they can and they will!

We’ll be back – John keep that Santa suit ready!

Stayed December 2011, travelled as a couple

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11Thank Andy Y

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Ask Andy Y about Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives: Set amongst the perfect islands and blue ocean of South Ari Atoll (Alifu Atoll) in the republic of Maldives, Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives delivers a unique 5 star resort experience and offers the ultimate in barefoot luxury along with a range of exciting activities that will appeal both to couples and families.Featuring 112 suites & villas, the resort offers diving enthusiasts outstanding diving opportunities including an excellent house reef complete with a dedicated sunken ship wreck and is within easy reach of the top dive spots in the Maldives. The resort offers all guests a premium all-inclusive vacation experience, along with a perfect white sand beach and the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean.Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives offers more than simply daytime sun, sea, and sand. The resort features a variety of dining options, pools, recreation activities, Sports and Fitness facilities, bars and lounges with nightly entertainment, SPA Cenvaree, and a Kids Club....more less

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Also Known As:

Centara Grand Island Resort And Spa

Centara Grand Island Hotel Centara Grand Island

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

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